If you plan on driving a school bus, semi-truck, or other type of commercial vehicle, you will first need to get your
commercial driver's license (CDL). Since these types of vehicles are larger and more complicated to drive than regular cars and trucks, the government requires you to take additional tests to obtain a CDL.

While the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) dictates most of the rules regarding commercial driver's licenses, in Illinois, the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) also designates some requirements.

*NOTE: IL commercial driver license holders under 21 years old may only drive within the state. Those 21 years old or over may drive out-of-state and commercial motor vehicles that transport passengers.

If you got your CDL from another state and wish to transfer it to Illinois, you must follow the same process as a first-time CDL applicant in IL.

The Illinois SOS will
NOT issue commercial driver licenses to Canadian or Mexican citizens. If you are a resident of either of these countries and wish to obtain a CDL in Illinois, you will first need to obtain U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.

Illinois Commercial Learner's Permit

Before you apply for a full CDL in Illinois, you must first obtain your
commercial learner's permit (CLP).

After successfully passing the knowledge tests, you will receive your commercial learner's permit from the IL Secretary of State.

Your CLP will be
valid for 180 days. You may renew it up to 30 days before and 5 days after its expiration date without having to retake the knowledge exams for an additional $50.

Behind-the-Wheel Driving Practice

IL commercial learner's permits will
only allow you to drive on public roads with a CDL holder. You must hold your CLP for a minimum of 14 days before you can apply for your full Illinois commercial driver's license.

Get Your Illinois CDL

After you've had your commercial learner's permit for
at least 14 days, you will be eligible to apply for your Illinois commercial driver's license.

Schedule another
appointment with the IL Secretary of State, and be prepared to:

Take the skills/driving tests necessary for the class of CDL you're applying for.

Bring in a vehicle of the same type you plan to drive.

Pay the $60 commercial driver's license processing fee.

Once you've acquired your commercial driver license in Illinois, you will have to
renew it every 4 years. See our guide to renewing your CDL in IL for more information.

Illinois Military CDL Holders

Current or recently discharged service members with military CDL experience may be eligible to have the skills/driving portion of the CDL process waived in Illinois.

A restriction can also be placed on your Illinois CDL to
prevent you from driving certain commercial vehicles, for various reasons—such as testing in the wrong type of commercial vehicle for your CDL class.

CDL Testing Requirements in IL

The knowledge and skills exams you will be asked to complete
vary slightly, depending on the class of commercial driver's license you're applying for in Illinois and whether you're applying for an endorsement.

However, the following tests are generally included in the application process for every class of CDL:

General knowledge written test.

Combination knowledge written test.

Air brake knowledge written test, if applicable.

Contact your local IL Secretary of State
office for more details on the exact tests you will be asked to take.

Illinois CDL Medical Exams

To get your commercial learner's permit, you will have to prove that you're
medically fit to drive a commercial vehicle.

The
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all CDL applicants to pass a medical examination and complete a
Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F), to be filled out by both you and your doctor.

You will also have to
self-certify to the Illinois SOS that you are medically able to operate a commercial vehicle.

Once you've established your health, you will be issued a
Medical Examiner's Certificate. It must always be valid and on your person while you're operating a commercial vehicle in order for you to maintain your CDL.